Eliza Pillars

Eliza Farish Pillars (April 26, 1892-June 15, 1970) was the first black public health nurse in Mississippi.[1][2] The Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses of Mississippi, a professional organization of African American nurses in Mississippi, is named in her honor.[3]

Early life and education

Eliza Farish Pillars was born on 26 April 1892 in Jackson, Mississippi. She attended public school in Jackson.[4] Following high school, she attended Utica Normal & Industrial Institute, and then completed her nurse's training at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee.[3]

Nursing career

After graduating from nursing school, Pillars worked for private physicians and then owned and ran a small hospital.[4]

On February 1, 1926, Pillars became the first person of color to be a nurse for the Mississippi State Board of Health, and the first black public health nurse in Mississippi.[4][3] She had a statewide role in providing public health education and training midwives.[3] She retired in 1950.

In 1951, Pillars received the Mary Mahoney award from the American Nurses Association (ANA),[4][5] which is given for significant contributions...to integration within the nursing profession."[6]

Death and recognitions

Pillars died on June 15, 1970 at the age of 78.[3]

In 1986, Pillars was inducted into the Mississippi Nurses Association Hall of Fame.[3]

References

  1. ^ Sewell, George A.; Dwight, Margaret L. (August 16, 2011). Mississippi Black History Makers. Univ. Press of Mississippi. ISBN 978-1-62846-976-9 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "Eliza Farish Pillars, RN: 1st black PH nurse in Mississippi | Mississippi Public Health Nursing in the 1960s". cnhi-benoist.nursing.virginia.edu.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "History". Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses of Mississippi. 29 July 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d Sabin, Linda (June 1, 2021). "Eliza Farish Pillars (1892–1970), Nursing Leader". Mississippi Encyclopedia. Center for Study of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  5. ^ Mississippi Nurses Association (January 1951). "Jackson Nurse Receives Mary Mahoney Medal". Mississippi RN. 6. Jackson, MS.
  6. ^ "National Awards Program". American Nurses Association. 14 October 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
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